Dr. Cyntha Bulik: Q&A About Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Study

[@aimeeharms2397]

I agree with this 100% I am severe anorexic have major ocd along with anxiety & depression. My parents are alcoholics and older sister had bulimia and alcoholic. Just a sad state of affairs

[@rinac885]

I'm sorry Aimee, i hope u r doing okay

[@LymeStealsGodHeals]

I’m so thankful I was able to participate in this study. I know there’s still much to be discovered, but this a HUGE step! I still think more info will also be found between AN and autoimmune disorders in the future. We’re making exponential progress in all research here, compared to any time in the past. I’ve always been told my OCD and AN are inextricably linked. This makes so much sense.

[@nelljustice7681]

Will you be contacting people from the first testing to participate in the next testing?

[@missichristensen3275]

Thank Christ some one cares enough to keep studying

[@yuzubear5729]

as someone with anorexia i don't think it's beneficial to tell us that it could be because of genetics. for me, my first thought is "well, i would have always got anorexia / i'll always have it, it's in my dna," instead of, "this is a mental illness and i can recover from it, it's not inate and not something i am born destinted to have." essentially i don't think it's somethign that is benefial for recovery and can worsen people's outlook on recovery.

[@Pencelia]

Just because you may have some genes for anorexia, it doesn't mean you will have anorexia. Dr. Bulik, did explain that the environment also plays a role. Perhaps this information can help the researchers figure out a specific medicine that targets those genes. They can also figure out what best environment can buffer those genes. I've had anorexia for over 20 years and I'm super glad that research is being done. It gives me hope. Finding out their are genetic factors makes me feel like it isn't just me. Maybe I already had a sensitivity to anxiety and then anorexia. It also explains why some people may be over to overcome it and others struggle for years. I was part of this study and I think it would have been interesting to ask people if they had relatives with the other conditions linked.

[@dotexe6415]

♥ I think it says that "it's not our fault. We didn't choose this, and we are ABOVE it."

[@samanthageorgeadis3096]

Please don't be discouraged. Much of our life experiences can be understood through an integrative perspective of nature (genetics) and nurture (our culture and environment). As she said in the video, "genetics are not destiny." You may be genetically predisposed to an eating disorder but that does not mean that it can't be overcome. Keep your head up girl, you're not alone.

[@lisascully4999]

I participated in the study to validate my own hypothesis with an Auntie who passed away at 49 and also anorexia affected my mother, sister, daughter and cousin. I think it is heartening to know that while I have a genetic predisposition I also have to be willing do the work and break the family cycle.

[@melameme9442]

It makes me feel better if I know it's genetic. It gives me a reason why I feel what I feel and that it's not my fault

[@dalibofurnell]

I would be interested in joining a study

[@thomasdonohue1833]

Anorexia is a coping skill just like alcoholism or other addictions. The person suffering convinces themselves they can control it and ultimately destroy themselves. They've been saying for decades addiction is genetic but have failed to make inroads into this theory. Anorexia will be the same. Anorexics are just like alcoholics, they can't be helped until they admit they have a problem.

[@tammycasaletto2490]

One thing I have to add is that there is medicine for anorexia. It’s called - FOOD = unrestricted eating. This disorder has to do a lot with malnutrition So eating without limits and rules , without compensation and without judgment will jumpstart the recovery process - followed by retraining our minds (belief systems/fears) with truth and right actions

[@Jmriccitelli]

Anorexia is about power, plain & simple

[@kionam.9467]

wrong

[@Jmriccitelli]

@@kionam.9467 you can say wrong if you want, but anorexics are power obsessed. They hijack their families & friends. Everything becomes about them & their illness, constant attention.

[@yourrnamee1280]

To you maybe